Installation

If you have not already, please take a moment to review the technical requirements before you continue with installation. The minimum server requirements should be met before you install and can run LearnDash.

IMPORTANT

You must enter a valid license key to receive support & updates.

Table of Contents [hide]

• 1 Install LearnDash
• 2 Activate Your License
• 3 Primary Domain vs. Sub-Domain
  • 3.1 Was this article helpful to you?

Install LearnDash

1. Navigate to PLUGINS > ADD NEW
2. Click Upload Plugin

3. Browse for and select the .zip file that you downloaded after purchase

   NOTE: You can also download from your account

4. Click Install Now
5. Click Activate Plugin

Repeat these same steps for ProPanel if you have purchased the add-on. LearnDash Cloud users will not need to install ProPanel as it comes pre-installed.

Activate Your License

To activate your license during your first LearnDash install, follow the steps on our OnBoarding Wizard article.

If you want to update your license without having to go through the wizard, you can go to:

1. Navigate to LEARNDASH LMS > Settings

2. Click on LMS License tab.

   NOTE: If the license shows as invalid, see these resolution steps.

You should be able to see your existing license, sign out, or change is as you want.

A separate license key is required for ProPanel.

Primary Domain vs. Sub-Domain

We are often asked whether it is better to install LearnDash on a sub-domain (ex: courses.yoursite.com ) versus a top-level domain (ex: yoursite.com ).

The short answer is that both options are viable and we have seen successful elearning programs take both approaches.

The benefit to building on a separate domain or sub-domain is that it separates all elearning-related components from those of your main site.

This is useful in case you need to troubleshoot compatibility issues, and it helps to limit any potential conflicts that could occur with the theme/plugins used on your primary domain versus the sub-domain.

However, you can certainly use LearnDash on your primary domain.

If your site is currently focused on training & elearning, then this probably makes sense. If you have multiple offerings (services, products, elearning, etc.), then perhaps it is best to separate the elearning component altogether so as to present a cleaner offering to visitors.